True Christmas Cactus
5.0 out of 5 (7 experiences)
Easy to propagate
Fast grower
About True Christmas Cactus
Did you know plants in the Schlumbergera genus are actually leafless? Instead of leaves, they use modified stems to capture sunlight! Unlike the Easter cactus, this species flowers in the later autumn or winter. They also have pointed wings at the corners, where its counterpart has more rounded edges. In the wild, they are epiphytes, meaning they grow on tree branches or rocks! 🌳 🪨
Taxonomy
Schlumbergera x buckleyi
Schlumbergera
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales
Also known as
Christmas Cactus and Holiday Cactus
How to care for True Christmas Cactus
How often to water your True Christmas Cactus
every 12
True Christmas Cactus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Finding light for True Christmas Cactus in your home
a window
True Christmas Cactus may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of True Christmas Cactus in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize True Christmas Cactus
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your True Christmas Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Root rot or water deprived? My Christmas cactus’ leaves are thin and paler than usual. They were nice and plump how they should be and a deep green. I have been afraid of root rot so haven’t watered in a while. Is it root rot finally showing or does it just need watered? I used to water every week or every two weeks. #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #SucculentLove #CactusClique #ChristmasCactus #PlantTherapy #PlantCorner
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Want a fuller Christmas cactus—prop or wait? I got a single cutting of a Christmas cactus in April of 2022. It has since done really well and grown quite a lot, as you can see in the photos. I would like to start to fill out the plant more to establish a bigger cactus. This is my first Christmas cactus, and so I am unsure what the best route would be. In one of the photos, I have shown that there is a little air root reaching out. Is it best to try to propagate that piece of the plant? Any advice is greatly appreciated!
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My poor Big Momma is dropping leaves like crazy and has these bumps that I haven’t seen. Is it getting too much water or not enough? #HappyPlants #TrueChristmasCactus #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict
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My little cutting that I got this spring is doing so well. I have been blessed with a bloom. 🥹 #ChristmasCactus #BloomingSuccs #PlantsMakePeopleHappy
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Omg y'all I'm so happy I might just cry! I've had Chrissy for YEARS and she's never once bloomed for me but omg she's actually got flower buds finally!!! 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥲🖤🖤🖤🖤 #christmascactus #flowerbuds #soproud #proudplantparent #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #newgrowth #wickedvalkyrie #socalgreg
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Potted up the new cuties this weekend! Fingers crossed that my moms 100+ year old Christmas cactus will enjoy its new pot. I also planted the jade plant pieces from @ESylvanus 😊🌵 #WhatTheSuccWednesday #JadePlant #ChristmasCactus #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #CactusClique #SucculentSquad
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This little lady has had quite the rough life... Several times now I thought she was dead but was unwilling to give up and nursed her back to health but never potted her up. I just stuck her back on top of the soil in my big Christmas Cactus, or more recently on a succulent prop tray with my Jade babies... Well I finally gave her, her own pot a couple weeks ago and she is absolutely exploding with new growth!! I think she might like her new home a wee bit... 🙃 #truechristmascactus #christmascactus #cactusclique #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #newgrowth
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Fredboy is LOVING his lil home now that he's finally established a good root system! He's got 6 (possibly 7) new tiny babies!!! Was trying to wait for #whatthesuccwednesday before posting these, but I'm just too excited!! And btw @RJG) am I crazy or do we no longer have limited characters on posts?? *Happy dance* #happyplants #newgrowth #christmascactus #truechristmascactus #propagation #successfulpropagation #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #succulentsquad #cactusclique
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New leaves!! 🍃 💚 🌱 I was so afraid when I potted my #ChristmasCactus prop, but look how she thrives! 🥹 #HappyPlants #CactusClique #SucculentSquad
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Decided to put my plants on some flattish rocks (: #growingsuccs #jade #christmascactus #propagationstation #succulentsquad #succulentlove
True Christmas Cactus thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
☀️ Sunlight Needs
True Christmas Cactus may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
💨 Humidity
True Christmas Cactus prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
🪴 Soil
True Christmas Cactus is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!
💩 Fertilizer
True Christmas Cactus grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
❄️ Dormancy
It’s common for True Christmas Cactus to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
🌎 Native Region
True Christmas Cactus is native to Southeastern Brazil.
🧐 Troubleshooting
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Care Summary for True Christmas Cactus
True Christmas Cactus
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 3ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Easy to propagate 6
Fast grower 5
Survivor 4
Large, lush leaves 3
Blooms easily 2
Browns easily 1
01/24/2022
This plant needs little care and blooms profusely.
Blooms easily
Easy to propagate
Fast grower
11/04/2021
I got this as a cutting from my father in law, and it’s been in the family for over 100 years. It had quite a bit of root rot when I got it, so I saved the best stems and I’ve been propagating it regularly to fill it out so eventually I can have a big, bushy hanging plant. It grows quickly and seems happy in a sunny western window with a quick mist every day.
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Survivor
07/22/2021
Hardy plant, fun to grow! If I took care of it better it would bloom more, but that’s why I’m here!
Easy to propagate
Survivor
07/06/2021
Had these guys in the house for my entire childhood, and they grow like mad when they’re in season. My tiny cutting has been sprouting offshoots every three days. Keep to a consistent watering schedule, give them some good light, and you’ll find yourself needing to set up supports soon just to keep it standing until it hardens off! When these guys bloom it’s truly a sight to behold, and never gets old. Recommend one of these for anyone who wants a low maintenance plant!
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate
Browns easily
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